But houseplants have their own agenda, and some are anything but minimal.
Plants can spread, drop leaves, expand to gigantic sizes, or look loud and unappealing.
How do houseplants fit inminimalist home design?
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We spoke to simplicity and organizing experts to learn the types of houseplants minimalists never grow.
The constant cleanup becomes a daily burden that contradicts a simplified lifestyle, Palmer says.
For minimalists who value clean lines and uncluttered spaces, avoid string of pearls.
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Also consider that monstera is sometimes calledswiss cheese plant, with leaves that develop ragged holes over time.
So, unless you’re ready for a ceiling-topping houseplant, avoid monstera in your minimalist house.
This plant’s aggressive growth pattern requires weekly pruning to maintain its shape, she adds.
Polka dot plant requires constant attention.
If left unattended, it becomes leggy and sprawling within weeks.
Cold, drafty conditions cause ficus trees to drop their leaves.
Yet too much sun may scald the leaves andyou guessed itcause the leaves to drop.
Showy and colorful, this plant’s variegated leaves catch your attention the moment you step into a room.
They are a “psychological burden,” Palmer says.
“Crotons are notorious for dropping leaves at the slightest environmental change,” she says.
Not so, Palmer says.
They’re surprisingly high-maintenance, and their need for weekly soaking requires designating kitchen space for their bath ritual.
Whilesome fernsare compact, others have a massive spread and towering heights.
The popularBoston ferncan reach three feet high and encroach on your living space.
Ferns requireregular fertilization, bright light, and a humid environment.
They thrive in a narrow temperature range of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you dare let the temperature drop below 50 degrees, you’ll probably kill them.
All Houseplants
For the ultimate in minimal design, lose the houseplants entirely.
She argues that the point of minimalism is to make room for what matters most.
Best Minimalist Houseplants
Want houseplants but can’t stand chaos and maintenance?
Decluttering expert Barbara Brock gives orchids high marks because they remain vertical and don’t overflow a pot.
“They are visually less invasive on the senses,” Brock says.
Brock also recommends jade plants since they require little maintenance.Jade plants growglacially slowlyjust two to three inches per year.
So, they won’t instantly overwhelm your living space.
